Program Overview

If you’re interested in a hands-on trade, check out Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Welding program. We’ll get you started on a career that offers a lot of options, great mobility and excellent pay.

Welders are in high demand—in oil and gas, mining, manufacturing and construction. You need to be good with your hands and enjoy working with tools. You also need to be a problem-solver and a team player who’s able to follow instructions.

Welding is a one-year certificate program offered at all four Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon. Build knowledge and skills in operating welding equipment and performing basic welding operations. You’ll get hands-on instruction in:

  • cutting processes
  • gas metal arc, gas tungsten arc, shielded metal arc welding
  • general shop practice and shop safety
  • operating fabrication equipment
  • oxy/acetylene fusion welding
  • quality assurance
  • using blueprints

Our Shop is Your Classroom

You’ll spend 75% of your time in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s well-equipped shops learning from highly qualified instructors. You’ll learn to work on your own and as part of a team. You’ll also develop the quality assurance and shop safety practices employers look for when recruiting apprentices.

Apprenticeship Credit

With this Saskatchewan Polytechnic credential, you may be eligible for credit towards apprenticeship training. To learn more, contact the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC).

 

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

When you graduate, you’ll have the skills you need to do basic welding fabrication and repair. Skilled welders are in demand in many industries, including oil and gas, construction, mining, manufacturing, fabrication and transportation. Look for jobs in repair shops, with fabrication companies, at mine and mill sites, in manufacturing and processing plants, in oil refineries and more.

Potential Careers

Sample Job TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
WelderWelders and Related Machine Operators (7237)$40,600 - $89,500
Implement AssemblerMechanical Assemblers and Inspectors (9526)$34,700 - $65,000

Length and Start Date

Start Date(s): September

Length: 34 weeks

Locations

  • Moose Jaw
  • Prince Albert
  • Regina
  • Saskatoon

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 237 Reading

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2020/21 Academic Year

$9,000

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

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Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
COMM 127
Fundamental Communication Skills
2
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You will use fundamental employability skills related to obtaining and keeping a job. You will apply skills to work effectively with others and produce job-related documents. You will identify employability and practical skills to prepare effective job search materials and discuss the effect of attitudes and behaviours on a successful job search.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Equivalent Course(s): COMM 127A, COMM 127CE, COMM 187, COMM 191, COMM 193, JOBS 190, PROF 100, TCOM 102, TCOM 105, TCOM 120, TCOM 140
Potential Learning Method(s): Independent Study, Lecture/Theory, Online, Online - Individual, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Work Based Delivery
EQPT 103
Fabrication Equipment
4
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The course covers the proper use and maintenance of the hand tools and the shop equipment used in welding and fabricating shops in industry.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning, Work Based Delivery
MATH 125
Welding Mathematics
2
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You will learn math concepts commonly used in the Welding trade. After reviewing basic mathematics and basic equations, you will solve applied percent and proportion problems. You will perform Imperial and SI conversions, and calculate the perimeter, area and volume of many common shapes, as well as use Pythagorean theorem. Trade applications include using protractors and steel tapes as well as calculating stretchouts and economical layout of various plates.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Equivalent Course(s): MATH 106, MATH 130, MATH 170, MATH 187, MATH 299
Potential Learning Method(s): Independent Study, Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
METL 100
Metallurgy and Heat Treatment of Metals
2
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You will become familiar with the physical and chemical properties of commonly used metals in the welding trade. You will study the effect of the heating and cooling cycle involved in welding operations (with particular attention given to the heat affected zone). You will also review the use of heat to correct distortion and to change the physical properties of metals, and the classification system for identifying metal.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 24.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
PRNT 101
Print Reading
5
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Your studies in print reading will include: views, line types, types of drawings and basic welding symbols. You will practice basic drawing interpretation skills.
Credit Units: 5
Course Hours: 75.0
Equivalent Course(s): PRNT 184
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
PROJ 102
Shop Projects
4
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Constructing various welding projects will help you develop welding and steel fabricating skills.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): PROJ 180
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
QC 100
Quality Assurance
1
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You will study the role of quality and elements of quality assurance in today's welding industry.
Credit Units: 1
Course Hours: 15.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
SFTY 103
Welding Safety
2
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Your studies will focus on general safety as it applies to the welding trade. You will learn how to use firefighting equipment, organize a shop for safe welding operation and safely transport and store welding supplies. You will also learn basic rigging techniques. You will study and receive certification in WHMIS and be introduced to the articles of Occupational Health and Safety Act that apply to the trade.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 103
Oxy-Acetylene Welding
6
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You will learn how to safely operate and maintain oxy-acetylene equipment as used in the welding trade. The course covers the types of flames and their chemistry, the selection of filler metal and a comparison of fusion and braze welding. You will also develop practical skills in fusion welding of 14 gauge steel in the flat and vertical positions, braze welding on mild steel in the flat position and braze welding on cast iron in the vertical position.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 85.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 104
Cutting Processes
4
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You will acquire skill in using freehand and guided methods for cutting mild steel. The freehand method is used to make straight cuts in 14 gauge and straight cuts, bevel cuts and pierce holes in the plate. The guided method is used to do straight cuts, bevel cuts, and cut circles from plate. You will also be introduced to plasma arc cutting.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 105
Gas Metal Arc Welding
8
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You will learn the procedures for setting up and adjusting welding equipment for Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) of steel and aluminum while addressing GMAW safety concerns. You will learn to select the correct mode of metal transfer and identify and choose the size and type of filler wire and the type of shielding gas to be used. You will learn how to make fillet welds in the flat, vertical and horizontal positions and full strength groove welds in the flat and vertical positions on various metal thicknesses. You will also weld using flux-cored electrode wire (FCAW) and metal-cored electrode wire (MCAW).
Credit Units: 8
Course Hours: 120.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 106
Gas Tungsten Arc Welding
2
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You will learn how to set-up and adjust Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) welding equipment required for welding mild steel and aluminum. You will examine the types of electrodes, shielding gases and electrical current types used in the GTAW welding. You will develop skills in welding mild steel, stainless steel and aluminum in the flat position.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 30.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 107
Shielded Metal Arc Welding 1
8
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You will be introduced to the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process and study the types of power sources, electrical characteristics of welding circuits, and mild steel and low alloy electrodes. You will develop your skills in welding beads in the flat, vertical and horizontal positions and producing fillet welds in the horizontal position.
Credit Units: 8
Course Hours: 120.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 108
Shielded Metal Arc Welding 2
11
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You will continue developing skill in using the SMAW process. The course content includes vertical and overhead fillets, arc air gouging and other common applications of the SMAW process.
Credit Units: 11
Course Hours: 161.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning
WELD 109
Shielded Metal Arc Welding 3
8
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You will further develop your skills in the SMAW process for welding in the flat, vertical and horizontal positions. You will practice full strength, open root, and groove welds in the flat, vertical and horizontal positions. Your groove welds will be subjected to bend testing and evaluated against a standard similar to that used in journeyperson or ASME code qualification tests.
Credit Units: 8
Course Hours: 120.0
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Prior Learning

Optional Course:

  • PRAC 184 Work Experience

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.  See links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for courses in this program.


Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Additional Information

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